Kayak Virginia Beach

100th Trip - Dismal Swamp Canal - Lake Drummond

Today marks the 100th trip I have made since I started keeping track on KayakVB.com. I erroneously reported that my 100th trip was a couple of weeks ago, but I was wrong, I was also counting trips that I were not actually trips. So being that the first trip I documented was to Lake Drummond, I felt it would be fitting to repeat that kayak trip.

Last night Brian called and asked what I was doing today, so I told him of my plans, and since he had not yet been out to Lake Drummond, he asked if he could join me...

We launched from the Dismal Swamp Canal Boat launch, which with the completion of Highway 17, is now part of of the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail (DSCT), I will have more on that later on KayakVB.Info. As expected this time of year, the canal is very green. Heading up the feeder ditch we noticed that there was no current, and figured that the gates were closed (which they were), and that makes for a much easier paddle. As anyone who has traveled this route can tell you, there is not a whole lot going on in the ditch.

We made it to the USACE Lake Drummond Reservation, and there was a group of campers enjoying the facilities. We were wondering how many trips these people had to make, because it looked like they were there for the duration. Launching from the top side seemed a little easier this time, I guess I have that thought in the back of my mind of getting sucked into the spillway, when the gates are open.

The canal to the lake has been cleared of pretty much all the trees that were overhanging before, and now it is a clear shot all the way to the lake.

The lake itself was quiet and peaceful as usual, and Brian commented how nice it is not having to worry about powerboats or jet skis. We decided to head for the Southern shore, into the wind, and follow the shoreline back. We passed some birds as well as turtles on logs and stumps. Time again was not our side, and we had to head back.

On the way out we passed several people heading up to the lake, a kayaker at the campground, a family in a canoe, and group of 3 kayakers, and a couple in a small powerboat. Seems a little weird, starting a trip of that length that late in the day...

We saw more turtles along the way out, got a few pictures of them. When we were the majority of the way to the canal I saw something that I could only describe as Funky Looking Mushrooms, or Dragonflies in a Conga Line, the latter description would be the correct description. On a stick a foot or so long were about 20 pairs of dragon flies, doing what dragon flies do when they want little dragon flies.

Well thats about it for the 100th trip on KayakVB, I hope I get to 200 in less then 2 and a half years.